How to Clean Flooded Carpet: Assessment and Restoration

Flooding can be a devastating event, causing damage to both property and personal belongings. If you are lucky, you've had time to get your furniture to higher ground, but there's not much you can do for your carpet.

Your valuable floor covering is unlikely to escape unscathed, with floodwater often leading to staining, mildew, and even structural damage to carpets. Use these tips to properly assess the damage, do what you can to save your carpet, and know when you might need a professional carpet cleaning company to ensure the best possible outcome.

Assessing the Damage

The first step in cleaning carpet after a flood is to assess the damage. This includes looking at the type of water that caused the flood, and how long the carpet has been wet. It is important to know whether the floodwater came from a clean source or a contaminated one. Clean water sources include broken appliances, while contaminated water sources include sewage and floodwater from rivers or streams.

There are three main types of floodwaters that can flood your home:

Clean Water

Clean water comes from a clean source, such as broken appliances. It is relatively safe and poses minimal health risks. Clean water floods can also result from broken pipes, leaks, or other internal issues. Flooding from clean water is less harmful to carpets. Restoring the carpet to its pre-flood condition is relatively straightforward, especially if you start the cleaning process within 24 hours.

Gray Water

Gray water is slightly contaminated and poses a moderate health risk. It typically comes from overflowing sinks, bathtubs, or washing machines. Gray water floods can cause staining and discoloration on the carpet, which may require professional cleaning or replacement.

Black Water

Black water is highly contaminated and poses a significant health risk. It typically comes from sewage, floodwater from rivers or streams, or stagnant water. Black water floods can cause ruin carpets, which may require replacement.

The longer floodwater sits in your home, the higher the risk of mold growth and structural damage becomes. You should act quickly to remove the water and begin the cleaning and restoration procedure.

Remember, mold needs just 24 hours to flourish and take hold. The quicker you start drying and cleaning your carpet, the better your results will be.

Storm Water Extraction

Once you have assessed the damage and know your carpet is salvageable, the next step is to remove as much water as possible. Stormwater extraction uses specialized equipment to remove water from the carpet and padding. A professional carpet cleaning company will have the equipment and expertise to do this effectively.

If you plan to DIY the storm water extraction, you will need a wet/dry shop vac and a lot of dry towels or large sponges. Act quickly or face irreversible damage to the flooring underneath. Use a wet/dry shop vacuum to remove excess water from the bulk of the carpet and apply pressure to dry towels or sponges for the corners and other hard-to-reach areas.

Take your time with the shop vac. Slow movements draw out the most water.

Remove the Carpet Pad

Some carpets will have padding underneath for noise reduction and to reduce stress on the floor. When you get the water situation under control, remove the flood-damaged carpet padding as soon as possible.

No amount of drying and cleaning the carpet will prevent mold from overtaking the padding and eventually the carpet if you miss this step. When you have managed to save the carpet, you can decide whether to install new padding yourself or have professional carpet layers do it for you.

Drying the Carpet

When you have managed to get the carpet to a slightly damp stage, it's time to thoroughly dry the area. You can do this by using a combination of fans and dehumidifiers. The goal is to get the carpet as dry as possible as quickly as possible to prevent mold growth.

Dehumidifiers are an essential tool in the drying process. They work by removing moisture from the air, which can help speed up the drying process.

It's unlikely you will have all the equipment you need to quickly dry your carpet. For this reason, we highly recommend you call a professional carpet cleaning company for help. It's likely your insurance company will cover some of the expenses, so check your policy.

When to Call a Professional Carpet Cleaning Company

Floodwater from a contaminated source or carpet that has been wet for more than 24 hours should be assessed by a professional carpet cleaning or water restoration company. Cleaning carpet after a flood requires knowledge, expertise, specialized equipment, and experience, so fast action and partnering with a professional carpet cleaning service near you will always ensure the best results.

Professional carpet restoration companies like Best Option Restoration have the equipment and expertise to clean and restore your carpet efficiently. They can also provide professional advice on what to do next after a flood has gone through your home and help you with your insurance claim.

How to Clean Flooded Carpet with Best Option Restoration

If you’re experiencing flooded carpet in Denver, Arvada, Thornton, Broomfield, Boulder, or the surrounding areas, Best Option Restoration can help you. We are aware that flooded carpet can leave you feeling overwhelmed, and our goal is to instill peace of mind throughout the project and restore your property in the most efficient way possible. We have many years of experience in restoration reconstruction and all our general contractors are licensed and insured. If your property has been damaged due to water, fire, or mold we will give you the personalized service and expert marksmanship needed to get the job done right. To learn more about our services, call us at (720) 620-3272 or contact us online to receive an estimate on your project.